Nigeria has defeated terrorism, attacks no longer rampant — Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), says the Federal Government has defeated terrorism in Nigeria, maintaining that terrorist attacks are no longer as brazen as they used to be.

Musa made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, insisting that attacks have reduced and largely shifted to kidnapping.

Asked whether Nigeria had defeated terrorists or merely displaced them, the minister said, “Frankly speaking we have (defeated terrorists) because now, like I said, the attacks are not as rampant and it is now kidnapping. Like I said, kidnapping is a social ill where you now see wives kidnapping husbands and husbands kidnapping children.”

The former Chief of Defence Staff stated that security has improved in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, noting that reports of terrorist attacks are no longer as frequent as they used to be.

“I can tell you there is improved security. Maybe if you noticed, you don’t hear so much of Boko Haram attacks, ISWAP attacks and all these things here and there, maybe one off.

“Now I say, the trajectory is this, from criminality to kidnapping to terrorism, insurgency; once you are able to hit them it goes back downwards and so we are now back into the stage of abductions and kidnappings because that is the easiest way for them to try and raise money.”

2027 Election

President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election for a second term in office, and Musa maintained that his campaign would not be affected by insecurity.

He defended his inclusion in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign team in charge of security, insisting that it would not interfere with his duties as Defence Minister.

“I am a professional, I will never succumb to that level (being partisan against opposition). Nigeria is my unit, whatever it takes to protect Nigeria that is what we stand for.

“We want a peaceful election, so we are going to work towards that and we are going to work with all the parties because that is why I am Minister of Defence, to ensure that every security force does what is right.

“So like I said, we are going to support INEC to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible because we want Nigeria to come out of all these election issues. We have gone past that.”

Stop Giving Motorcycles As Palliatives

The Defence Minister also advised governors and other government officials to desist from giving out motorcycles as palliatives, saying they often end up in the hands of terrorists who use them for their nefarious activities.

He said that if the government must give out motorcycles, it should provide low-capacity ones that would not give terrorists leverage if they get hold of them.

“We try to appeal to any governor to stop giving out motorcycles as palliatives because these motorcycles are still the same ones that will end up with these terrorists. Even if you are to give, don’t give them the big capacity motorcycles, give them the small capacity ones that they won’t be able to use to run around because that gives them leverage. They can easily enter anywhere and then disappear at the same time.”

Musa also stressed the need to allow local governments to function effectively, insisting that the failure of local governments is among the factors aggravating insecurity in the country. (Channels TV)